Arkansas Tech University students staged a sit-in protest Thursday during the board of trustee's regular meeting.

About 25 students and one faculty member turned out in support of Dr. James Gadberry, an assistant professor of sociology who has been employed with Tech for the past six years.

Gadberry had applied for tenure but was denied.

"When you don't get tenure, essentially your fired," he said, noting he has another year at Tech, but would then have to seek employment elsewhere.

Gadberry said he didn't understand why he had been denied tenure when he had a strong portfolio and strong support among his students and peers.

He also said the administration refused to provide a written or verbal reason for the denial.

According to the university's president, Dr. Robert C. Brown, the board of trustees are not required to provide a reason for its decision.

Gadberry was also not allowed to appear on the agenda and address the board to defend his academic record.

"It reeks of unfairness," Gadberry said. "It's a personal slap in the face to let you go without reason."

Gadberry and his supporters had hoped the trustees, who have the final decision about tenure, would allow him speak. But the board never recognized the group or Gadberry.

Brown said it was board policy not to allow public comment at such proceedings.

Furthermore, he said, the university could be held legally accountable if someone said something libelous and the board had provided the forum.

Brown also pointed out students and faculty are able to contact board members about their concerns by phone, mail and e-mail.

"We encourage that," he said.

Gadberry disagrees.

"They (the administration) feel silence is better," he said, noting he had never before been critical of the administration. "... Everybody on campus knows (to keep quiet)."

Brown contends the Tech tenure process is well-balanced and transparent with a shared faculty and administration government.

But Dr. Steve Shry, a professor of psychology at Tech for 32 years, said he warned Gadberry when he first arrived at Tech that the current administration was not "user friendly." The reason he thought Gadberry did not receive tenure was because he was outspoken.

"I have watched the best and brightest faculty be forced out (of Tech)," Shry said. "I think we lost a lot of warmth (at Tech) and I think students are fearful."

Many students spoke of being threatened by pop quizzes that would account for half their grade should they miss class for the protest. Others said they risked their degrees by taking part in the protest.

"A lot of people are scared," said Alexandria Willis, a Tech student and coordinator of the student sit-in. "They (students) know they're facing possible expulsion or targeting (by the administration.)"

But Brown stated that isn't the case.

"That's absolutely absurd," he said.

After a lengthy executive session, the board of trustees approved, as packaged, recommendations from the Office of Academic Affairs not to grant Gadberry tenure.